In WordPress, individual articles are called Posts, and they can all be displayed together on one Blog page. This guide takes you from no blog at all to a working blog page with your first post on it.
Overview of the process
- Create a page to hold your blog
- Tell WordPress to show your posts on that page
- Add the Blog page to your menu
- Write your first post
- Check how it looks
Step 1: Create a page to hold your blog
From the left hand menu, hover over Pages and click Add Page.
In the title box, type Blog (or News, or Insights, whatever suits your brand). Leave the content area empty, since WordPress will fill this page with your posts automatically. Click the blue Publish button on the right (shown as Save in the screenshot below on some sites).
Step 2: Tell WordPress to show your posts on that page
In the left menu, go to Settings, then Reading.
Under Your homepage displays, choose A static page. Set Homepage to your main home page, and set Posts page to the Blog page you just made. Scroll down and click Save Changes.
Step 3: Add the Blog page to your menu
So visitors can find it, add the Blog page to your website navigation. Go to Appearance, then Menus. On the left, tick the box next to your Blog page and click Add to Menu. Drag it into the position you want, then click Save Menu.
Step 4: Write your first post
Go to Posts, then Add New. Give the post a title, write your article, and assign a category to keep posts organised. Set a Featured Image in the bottom right, since this is the thumbnail shown on your blog listing. When you are happy, click Publish. To finish later, click Save Draft instead.
Step 5: Check how it looks
Visit your Blog page by clicking View Page or opening the Blog link in your menu. Your new post should appear at the top, and new posts automatically show above older ones.
Quick tips
- Posts appear on the blog page automatically, so you never edit the Blog page itself
- Categories keep your blog tidy and help visitors find related articles
- Always set a featured image so your listing looks polished
- A consistent rhythm beats volume, so one good post a month is better than five in one week and then silence